Four More TTM Successes and Some Purchases Have Arrived

I received a bunch of signed cards today as well as some Hall of Fame postcards thanks to some ttm returns and some purchases.

Andre Dawson signed both of his 1982 Topps cards ttm to help me towards getting some stars and Hall of Famers while I begin to send out to more common players.  That sounds mean.  No disrespect intended.  What's a better description?  

Anyway, Dennis Eckersley also signed his 1982 Topps for me.

Bernie Carbo signed his 1970 Topps which was already signed by Danny Breeden.  

This is my second copy of this card.  Mr. Carbo signed the first one in black, so I tried for, and received, a nice blue sharpie upgrade.

And George Stone signed his 1972 and 1973 Topps as well as the 1971 and 1974 Braves team cards.  Oddly, he also signed the back of my letter three times in very large writing.  There was no other note, just his signatures.

I bought a Beckett-slabbed, 1975 Topps Bob Gibson and a raw 1982 Topps Pete Rose from an SCN member.

I received a 1985 Topps signed by Rod Carew that I bought from Mill Creek Sports.

I also added Tommy John and Kirk Gibson to my 2000 Fleer Greats of the Game set collection via separate eBay purchases.  A couple current Tommy John signings posted on SCN are asking for $125 to sign cards, so the $30 for this Beckett-slabbed card was easy to justify.  The Gibson was quite a bit more expensive, but still well-below the $179 fee he charged at a couple signings last June.

The more Beckett slabs I get, the less I like them.  The labels are curling and the plastic sleeve the cards are in within the slab are wavy.  They just aren't very attractive.

Finally, I bought four Hall of Fame postcards from a promoter I use via SCN from his eBay store, including Billy Herman, George Kell, Joe Sewell and Eddie Mathews.  At an average of $12.50 each including tax and shipping, I thought they were a steal.

According to Informed Delivery, I should receive a few more ttm returns tomorrow to continue my streak for the year.  However, one card in my email for today didn't actually show up in the mailbox.  It was postmarked from Houston, so I think it was from one of the Aspromonte brothers.  I sent to them both on December 27th and they both live in Houston, so it could be either one.  They are both very generous signers and have a lot of cards.

Bowa, Fiore, Mitterwald and Palmer TTM Returns

I certainly didn't jinx my return streak by mentioning it yesterday, because I received four more returns today. 

Larry Bowa signed both his 1982 Topps, a 1988 Topps and a 2005 Topps Heritage.  He also answered a couple questions I asked in my letter.

Mike Fiore signed his 1971 Topps, a 1971 Topps Buy Back, and the 71 Royals team card in his usual black ballpoint.

George Mitterwald signed his 1978 Topps and three Twins team cards for me.

And Jim Palmer signed both his 1982 Topps for my set collection.  I included $20 with my request.

I've already sent out 33 requests in just the first 9 days of the month (some will go out tomorrow).  Mostly sending off to players from the 1982 set but also including their cards from other years when possible.  I also recently bought a handful of vintage cards from the 50's and 60's to send out, even though I already have them, just because I really miss getting these old cards back.  For some reason, the cards from the mid 70's and later just aren't as fun for me.  

Bobby Shantz TTM Return

I have a 7-day return streak going since the beginning of the year.  I assumed I would break that streak today since Tuesdays are usually not great for returns.  But I received a return from Bobby Shantz, who signed his 1953 Bowman and 1961 Post nicely with an inscription on each.

I also sent out about eight more requests today so hopefully I can keep the streak going a while.  Hopefully I didn't jinx it by mentioning it.

Vern Law TTM Return and Joe Torre/Darrell Evans Purchases

I love getting return from Vern Law, who, a few years ago, began loading up cards with inscriptions.  Occasionally, I'll get a return in blank ink, which was the case the first time I Sent a '58 Topps and a '63 Fleer.  I since obtained a nice blue sharpie '58, but also wanted a nice blue sharpie '63 Fleer.  I included $10 per card with my request.

I've sent several requests to Darrell Evans in the past, and he's been a very generous signer.  But, he appears to have a backlog as of about April of 2024.  So, when I saw a promoter on SCN selling extras from a signing, I decided to buy his '82 Topps to add to my set collection.

A recent Joe Torre signing listed on SCN at $150 per card encouraged me to buy a few of his cards already signed and authenticated.  I bought his 1971 Topps, J.S.A. sticker-authenticated, and a PSA/DNA authenticated and slabbed 1972 Topps N.L. Batting Leaders card also signed by Garr.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have the leaders card signed by all three, just not all on the same card.  I consider this close enough.

I'd really like to have Torre sign his 64 Topps Stand Up, and already have the card, but I can't justify $150.  With shipping and authentication, it would be closer to $170.  I'll just have to live without.  There is one listed on eBay, but the condition is quite poor.

Steve Comer and Don Taussig TTM Returns

My three-day streak in 2025 continues with two ttm returns today.

Steve Comer signed his 1979, 1982, 1983 and 1985 Topps.

And Don Taussig signed his 1962 Topps and a few team cards.

Dave Ford TTM Return and Glenn Beckert Purchase

I received a very quick return from Dave Ford, who signed a couple cards for me in just six days.  I've started going through the 1982 set and sending out some of the more common cards to make some serious progress on the set instead of just buying the stars and Hall of Famers.

I also received an eBay purchase of a couple Glenn Beckert cards, including his 1971 Topps and the 1972 Topps NL Batting Leaders card.  

Mr. Beckert passed away in 2020 and hadn't signed ttm since 2017.  In 2010, he signed both his 1972 Topps and his 1973 Topps for me.

I have the batting leaders card signed by Garr, and just bought, but haven't received, this same card signed by both Torre and Garr.  So, despite not having a single copy of the card signed by all three, I'm going to say this card is complete for my set.

Rod Gaspar, Jim Palmer and Clyde Wright

I kicked off the year with a single ttm return as well as a couple mail-in signing returns.

Rod Gaspar signed the 1970 Topps Mets team card, which commemorates the 1969 World Series-winning team.  Oddly, he wrote, "Signed your Padres card 3-7-22" on my letter.  Nothing else.  I did send him a 1971 Topps card which he signed in March of 2022, on which he is playing for the Padres. According to comments on SCN, he appears to sign one card for free but asks for donations beyond that.  When other players have done that, it appears to be per-request.  Perhaps Mr. Gaspar means that he'll sign one card for free, ever.  Beyond that, he would like a donation.  I'm not really sure.  He did sign the team card though.  I guess if I send to him again, I will include some money.

He signed in light ballpoint on the right edge halfway between the top and bottom.

I also received returns from two mail-in signing from Tom Orr, including Jim Palmer and Clyde Wright.  I sent in the 1971 Topps ERA Leaders card which was already signed nicely by Diego Segui.  I took this opportunity to get both Palmer and Wright to sign it with a promoter present to make sure they each signed it in blue sharpie.  I also had Wright sign his 1972 Topps.  I already had both these cards signed by Wright, but he signed in black.  He used to be a very reliable signer ttm, but has been spotty at best the last several years.  I probably could have sent it to Palmer myself after this signing as he is very reliable and always appears to use a blue sharpie, but I didn't want to risk it since Wright is getting harder to obtain.  In fact, I currently have a request out to Jim Palmer to sign both of his 1982 Topps.

Here are the cards he signed for me back in 2012.

I'm sending out another eight ttm requests tomorrow as well as to three signings with Tom Orr including Tim Raines, Trevor Hoffman and Robin Yount.